New game teaches children about emergency preparedness

QUINCY, Mass. - The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched a new Sparky the Fire Dog® game to help children learn about emergency preparedness.

The game, "Look and Learn," is now available free online. It stresses the importance of being prepared for an emergency by teaching children about items that should be included in an emergency supplies kit.

Each year natural disasters disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and their families. NFPA developed Risk Watch®: Natural Disasters to help children and their families deal with disasters before, during and after the event. Sparky's® new game is the latest addition to support this effort and is available by visiting NFPA's Risk Watch® Web site at http://www. riskwatch.org and entering the "Kids Only" section of the site.

"Everyone runs the risk of experiencing a natural disaster and that includes children," said Amy LeBeau, NFPA's communications manager of public education. "Sparky's new game is a great way for parents and teachers to educate children about emergency preparedness with a fun interactive lesson."

"Look and Learn" players visit six different fun and interactive scenes as they are tasked with assisting Sparky by locating hidden items to complete his emergency supplies kit. During their search for the hidden items, players travel through a Hideaway Island, Campground, Safari, Haunted House, Underwater Adventure and Prehistoric Park to locate things like flashlights, batteries, extra clothing, a whistle, canned food and other items that are often necessities in an emergency. After finding all of the emergency supplies in each section of the game, children will be able to download and print out an emergency supplies checklist that they can use to make their own emergency supplies kit.